Senior Soldier Mykhailo Kholopov, call sign “Mix”
Senior Soldier Mykhailo Kholopov, known by the call sign “Mix,” fought his last battle in the village of Oleksandropil, Kramatorsk district, on April 8, 2025. During a combat mission, he sustained fatal injuries as a result of an enemy drone drop. He was forever 34 years old.
Mykhailo was born in the city of Kramatorsk. After graduating from local School No. 3, he went to work at the Energomashspetsstal plant as an assistant steelmaker. From childhood, Mykhailo was passionate about judo and dedicated his life to sports. He had incredible energy and strength of spirit—every day he would turn on his favorite music and begin training. Dumbbells, a push-up board, TRX straps—exercise was the greatest hobby of his life.
In 2015, he was called up for compulsory military service. After demobilization, he briefly returned to work at the plant, but soon realized that his true calling was military service. In December 2017, he signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Cheerful and kind, Mykhailo always loved to joke. He was a music lover, played games on his mobile phone, watched horror films and science programs about space. He also loved walking around his native Kramatorsk with his wife and daughter.
“It was always very easy, calm, and cozy with him. Misha is my other half. When we first met, he said, ‘We’ve found each other.’ Almost immediately we started living together, got married, and were sure that a long life together lay ahead of us,” shared his wife Anna. “Misha really wanted to become a father, and when our daughter Yelyzaveta was born, he was proud that she was his exact copy. Mishanya was an incredibly kind and compassionate person, always ready to help in everything. He created comfort in our home and was very talented—whatever he took on, he succeeded at it.
“Every time we went outside, Misha would say: ‘Wait a moment, Vannushka (that’s what he called me), I’ll do a few sets on the pull-up bars, and then we’ll go for a walk.’ My daughter and I would watch him and feel so proud of my husband. Mishanya was extremely dreamy—he could talk for hours about our shared future: he wanted to buy a car and a small country house somewhere near a forest, with a river nearby. He loved being outdoors, especially walks in rainy weather.”
During the full-scale invasion, Mykhailo served at the Kramatorsk airfield in the security company of military unit A3546. At the same time, he obtained a higher education degree and a driver’s license. On November 4, 2024, by order of the Commander-in-Chief, the unit in which Mykhailo served was redeployed to the front line. There, he continued to bravely and devotedly defend Ukraine until his last breath.
“My dear Mishechka, how much our daughter and I miss you. We grieve for you; everything around us reminds us of you. Thank you for every day we spent together. You were not just my husband, but also my best friend and kindred soul. Every memory of you is filled with tenderness, gratitude, and boundless love. We were, and always will be, a family. I love you with all my heart,” said Anna.
Posthumously, Mykhailo was awarded a commendation by the commander of the 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade. He was laid to rest at the Alley of Heroes in Kramatorsk.
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and parents.
At 9:00 a.m., a nationwide minute of silence is observed. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the Memorial of Heroes platform honor the fallen defenders of Donetsk region.